As a full-time consultant and a mother of four energetic boys, I often feel exhausted. So, when I began to feel unusually fatigued last Saturday, I brushed it off. My runny nose and headache seemed typical for allergy season, and I took some ibuprofen to cope. I was also anxious about the COVID-19 situation in Europe, especially concerning our family in Ireland and our planned trip home in May. As I packed for a business trip that Sunday, I kept an eye on news reports about a few confirmed cases in Denver, where I was headed for work.
By Monday morning, a sore throat joined my list of symptoms, but I decided to fly since I had no fever or cough. However, upon landing in Colorado, I felt increasingly unwell, and by Tuesday night, my meeting was off. I flew back home on Wednesday, careful to use hand sanitizer and maintain distance from others.
The next morning, I visited my doctor, who tested me for flu and strep, both of which came back negative. She also referred me for COVID-19 testing. When I woke up on Friday, the world had changed drastically—schools were shutting down, travel bans were enacted, and many European countries were in lockdown.
I called the state government’s hotline after detailing my symptoms, and they urged me to get tested. But that’s when the chaos began. I was given multiple numbers to call, from the public health hotline—which was closed on weekends—to a hospital number that just kept ringing. Meanwhile, my coughing became more frequent.
Finally, on Sunday night, my doctor informed me about mobile testing being initiated at a nearby hospital. I arrived at 8:30 am, pulling up to a large white tent draped with orange cones. Medical personnel, some fully suited in protective gear reminiscent of a scene from “Outbreak,” surrounded the area. As I turned off my engine, an older gentleman in a brown cap approached. I rolled down my window but immediately went into a coughing fit, causing him to jump back in shock.
He asked if I had an appointment, and I explained that I didn’t know how to make one but had a doctor’s order. He told me to wait, and as he walked away, he shouted, “This is not a drill, people!”
After 20 minutes, a doctor came over, holding a paper with a phone number. She instructed me to call to make an appointment for my test. Unfortunately, the line was busy for 45 minutes. A nurse, noticing my cough, brought me a bottle of water, but I was still stuck in limbo. I called the hotline again, and they insisted I go to the ER after hearing me cough. But I was already at the testing site!
Channeling my mother’s tenacity and grace, I decided to return to the testing area. The doctor came over and, seeing my frustration, took my details for registration and instructed me to wait. Miraculously, just 15 minutes later, I received a call from the hotline confirming that I needed a test.
Overwhelmed with relief, I parked and called another number. A nurse verified my information and directed me to pull up a bit more. Then, another nurse, clad in protective gear, instructed me to lean back as she prepared to test me. When she inserted the cotton swab deep into my nose, I thought I’d touched my brain. Tears streamed down my face, but I was finally done.
As I drove away, nurses made the sign of the cross, and one doctor formed a heart with her hands, reminding me of the incredible dedication of our medical staff. I left with instructions to self-isolate for four to five days while awaiting my results.
Fingers crossed for a happy ending, I’m hopeful for a negative result. I want my family to stay healthy and am optimistic that our government will improve testing availability and response times.
In the meantime, stay home, stay safe, and stay healthy.
After several days of waiting, I realized my initial relief was premature. The anxiety of isolation set in. After a week of self-quarantine, constantly checking my phone and keeping my distance from my children, I finally received the news I’d been praying for—I tested negative for COVID-19! I’ve never been so relieved to have bronchitis in my life!
For anyone navigating similar challenges, you can find excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination at UCSF Center and learn more about self insemination techniques at Make a Mom. If you’re interested in more personal stories, check out this blog post on Home Insemination Kit.
Summary
The author’s chaotic experience with COVID-19 testing highlights the confusion and stress surrounding the pandemic. After days of waiting and uncertainty, she ultimately tested negative, revealing the importance of perseverance and support from medical professionals during a crisis.
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